Passengers who sign on for a river cruise with Blue Moon Cruises skipper “Captain Dave” Anderson are likely to come away with a greater understanding of area history and nature.

“The one thing I enjoy the most is that I have a genuine care for making people happy,” said Mr. Anderson, who lives in Rising Fawn, Ga.

Blue Moon Cruises operates a 70-foot Skipperliner cruise ship, offering “eco-tours” downstream from Chattanooga through the Tennessee River Gorge to Hales Bar, and wildlife excursions on the Hiwassee River to the bird and wildlife sanctuary in Meigs County, Tenn.

Mr. Anderson says he took a winding road to end up behind the ship’s wheel.

After graduating from college with no real direction in life, he took a job as a deckhand on a ship supplying oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. That led to a career on the water and a captain’s license.

He skippered seismographic ships for Mobile Oil and was captain of the Spirit of Chicago, a cruise ship on Lake Michigan.

But he loved history and missed home, he said, so he jumped at the chance to become captain of the Southern Belle in Chattanooga. When not at the pilot’s wheel, he visited libraries and museums to study about the region and its people.

And when the Ocoee Adventure Co. went looking for a captain who could pilot a river cruiser and entertain the customers at the same time, “Captain Dave” filled the bill.

“He is one of the greatest storytellers in the area and has a great knowledge of the history of the river and of the wildlife. He keeps the trip interesting,” said Larry Mashburn, a partner in the Polk County, Tenn.-based company.

Mr. Anderson tells stories about who owns the big white house atop a nearby mountain, where Dragging Canoe hid out while threatening early settlers or how Suck Creek got its name from the “narrows” that wrecked many a raft and boat.

On a recent trip, Mitchell and Anne Green, of Winchester, Tenn., said Mr. Anderson’s stories of history and nature gave them a new appreciation for the Tennessee River. They said they plan to come back for another trip in the fall when the leaves turn.

Mr. Anderson lives in a log cabin in Dade County, Ga., and can see Cloudland Canyon from his porch. In his spare time, he carves small animal heads and creates necklaces for sale at camps and state parks.

“I just enjoy everything I’m doing,” Mr. Anderson said.

Comments